Padmanabhan Janakiraman
Member
Why Hindus Need a FORM for a FORMLESS GOD ?
The word is ‘Acintya’ means "inconceivable," "beyond thought." The true nature of God is, therefore, beyond the ability of human beings to understand, yet we have a need to reach out in our mind and try to conceive of God. So we create an image of God in our minds. This mental image of God is an idol.
The Forms provide a basis for the Hindu worshiper to easily pursue the otherwise incomprehensible Supreme. So Hinduism supports both form as well as formless worship of God. Whether one worships in saguNa or nirguNa way, it is ultimately the same God.
In Hinduism one of the ultimate attainments is when the seeker transcends the need of all form and symbol. This is the yogi's goal. In this way Hinduism is the least idol-oriented of all the religions of the world. There is no religion that is more aware of the transcendent, timeless, formless, causeless Truth. Nor is there any religion which uses more symbols to represent Truth in preparation for that realization
The goal of Hinduism is to wake up and realize our connection with the absolute reality Brahman. That is why the essence of Vedas is considered to be "aham brahmasmi" (I am the Brahman).
Sri Ramana Maharshi: Paramatma Siva,God Ganapati and other deities like Brahma, exist from a human standpoint; that is to say, if you consider your personal self as real, then they also exist. Just a government has its high executive officers to carry on the government, so has the creator. But from the standpoint of the Self all these gods are illusory and must themselves merge into the one reality.
Questioner: Whenever I worship God with name and form, I feel tempted to think whether I am not wrong in doing so, as that would be limiting the limitless, giving form to the formless. At the same time I feel I am not constant in my adherence to worship God without form.
Sri Ramana Maharshi: As long as you respond to a name, what objection could there be to your worshiping a God with name or form? Worship God with or without form till you know who you are.
This Post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copyrights.
The word is ‘Acintya’ means "inconceivable," "beyond thought." The true nature of God is, therefore, beyond the ability of human beings to understand, yet we have a need to reach out in our mind and try to conceive of God. So we create an image of God in our minds. This mental image of God is an idol.
The Forms provide a basis for the Hindu worshiper to easily pursue the otherwise incomprehensible Supreme. So Hinduism supports both form as well as formless worship of God. Whether one worships in saguNa or nirguNa way, it is ultimately the same God.
In Hinduism one of the ultimate attainments is when the seeker transcends the need of all form and symbol. This is the yogi's goal. In this way Hinduism is the least idol-oriented of all the religions of the world. There is no religion that is more aware of the transcendent, timeless, formless, causeless Truth. Nor is there any religion which uses more symbols to represent Truth in preparation for that realization
The goal of Hinduism is to wake up and realize our connection with the absolute reality Brahman. That is why the essence of Vedas is considered to be "aham brahmasmi" (I am the Brahman).
Sri Ramana Maharshi: Paramatma Siva,God Ganapati and other deities like Brahma, exist from a human standpoint; that is to say, if you consider your personal self as real, then they also exist. Just a government has its high executive officers to carry on the government, so has the creator. But from the standpoint of the Self all these gods are illusory and must themselves merge into the one reality.
Questioner: Whenever I worship God with name and form, I feel tempted to think whether I am not wrong in doing so, as that would be limiting the limitless, giving form to the formless. At the same time I feel I am not constant in my adherence to worship God without form.
Sri Ramana Maharshi: As long as you respond to a name, what objection could there be to your worshiping a God with name or form? Worship God with or without form till you know who you are.
This Post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copyrights.
